Evidence-based research for strategic policy
Innovative computational methods meet expertise in international relations, education, science, and culture to deliver actionable insights for government and academic partners.
The UK's Leading Experts in Soft Power and Cultural Relations Research
Pioneering Research Methodologies
We deploy innovative computational approaches, qualitative and quantitative methods, and work strategically with partners, to deliver research that meets the highest academic standards whilst remaining directly relevant to policy and practice.
Foreign Policy Relevance
Our partnerships with the British Foreign Policy Group and Scottish Council on Global Affairs ensure our research maintains direct relevance to contemporary foreign policy challenges and opportunities.
Bridging academic research with policy implementation across government levels
Strategic Long-Duration Projects
We collaborate on major strategic projects that require sustained research engagement, combining deep sectoral knowledge with longitudinal analysis to track changes in soft power effectiveness over time.
Multi-year research programmes that capture evolving international dynamics
AI Orchestration for Impact Assessment
We pioneered AI Orchestration methodologies that strategically combine artificial intelligence with human expertise to deliver unique impact assessments that go beyond traditional evaluation approaches.
Innovative deployment of AI tools for semantic analysis, stakeholder mapping, and outcome prediction
Computational Social Science
Our partnership with the Digital Influence and Intelligence Lab (DIIL) at Edinburgh Futures Institute enables us to deploy the latest computational social science methods, transforming how we analyse soft power dynamics and international influence.
Advanced data mining, network analysis, and machine learning applications for policy research
Targeted Sectoral Research
We deliver practical research outcomes for specific soft power sectors including higher education, cultural institutions, arts organisations, and international development agencies.
Sector-specific insights that inform strategic planning and resource allocation
Participative Democracy Technologies
Where conventional data sources prove insufficient, we deploy robust AI tools that enhance participative democracy, enabling broader engagement in research processes whilst maintaining methodological rigour.
Scaling democratic participation through technology whilst preserving research integrity
Strategic Research Partnerships
Our collaborative approach ensures access to world-class expertise whilst maintaining the agility and responsiveness that characterises our research practice.
Academy of International Affairs NRW
Collaboration with AIA-NRW providing expertise in international affairs research, European cooperation frameworks, and interdisciplinary policy analysis.
British Foreign Policy Group
Strategic collaboration ensuring our research maintains direct relevance to UK foreign policy development and implementation.
Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas
Partnership with CIDE focusing on comparative analysis and soft power in the Americas, climate change impacts, and heritage preservation strategies.
CrownShy
Participative democracy specialists enabling robust democratic engagement in research processes. Led by Stuart Lynn, Andy Paice, Shu Yang Lin and Liz Barry, providing innovative approaches to public consultation and stakeholder engagement.
Culture and Sustainability Lab
Pioneering research collaboration focusing on the intersection of cultural policy and environmental sustainability, examining how cultural institutions and practices contribute to sustainable development goals and climate resilience.
Digital Influence & Intelligence Lab
Edinburgh Futures Institute partnership providing access to cutting-edge computational social science methodologies and data analysis capabilities.
ISMU
Italian-based research partnership enabling European perspectives on migration, multiculturalism, and integration policies. Collaboration with leading researchers on comparative migration studies and international cooperation frameworks.
Scottish Council on Global Affairs
The Scottish Council on Global Affairs is a hub for research and policy-informed, non-partisan debate on international relations and global politics. Learn more
Turning World
Australian strategic partnership enabling Asia-Pacific research perspectives and regional policy insights, enhancing our global research capacity through expertise in Australian and Asian international relations.
Research Publications & Analysis
We publish across multiple formats to ensure our research reaches both practitioner and academic audiences. We produce commissioned research reports, policy briefs, our Substack blog, book projects, and peer-reviewed articles.
Policy Analysis & Commentary
Regular insights and analysis through our Substack channel and policy brief series, providing timely commentary on soft power developments and international cooperation trends.
- Commissioned Research Reports
- ICR Research Substack: Weekly analysis
- Policy Brief Series: Strategic assessments
Academic Research & Reports
Peer-reviewed articles, commissioned research reports, and academic monographs that establish the evidence base for soft power policy and practice.
- Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Academic Monographs & Chapters
- Conference Papers & Presentations
Selection of Publications for Download
The British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale: Navigating Frames and Reimagining Cultural Relations
DownloadSoft Power at a Turning Point
DownloadSoft Power and Cultural Relations: a Comparative Analysis
DownloadDigital Cultural Relations: reflections on current practice and key themes for future development
DownloadDigital Cultural Relations: Literature Review
DownloadLiterature Review for the Scottish Government’s Scottish Connections (Diaspora) Work
DownloadSoft Power and Cultural Relations Institutions in a Time of Crisis
DownloadCultural Relations in a Time of Competition
DownloadDigital Globalisation of Knowledge and the Impact on Higher Education In South Asia and Europe
DownloadDigital Citizenship in Pakistan
DownloadSoft Power Today
DownloadThe Impact of Brexit on International Cultural Relations in the European Union
DownloadWho we are
Our team combines decades of experience in international cooperation with cutting-edge expertise in computational methods and AI applications.
Stuart MacDonald
Director
International cooperation policy, strategic research leadership, government partnerships, soft power evaluation
Dr Andrew Murray
Senior Director
EU cultural diplomacy, international cultural relations, academic partnerships, institutional analysis
Dr Monja Stahlberger
Senior Researcher
Knowledge diplomacy, higher education partnerships, cross-cultural analysis, international exchange
Dr Clare Llewellyn
Computational Social Science Lead
Digital influence analysis, computational methods, social media research, algorithmic transparency
Jake Van Clief
AI Research Specialist
AI Orchestration, computational social science, ethical AI deployment, algorithmic bias research
Commission Research or Access Expertise
Whether you require evidence for policy development, strategic analysis for international engagement, or impact assessment for soft power initiatives, we provide the research foundation for informed decision-making.